We can't live with it and we can't live without it. Change is sometimes a blessing and sometimes a curse. My story with this word "change" is somewhat overwhelming, quite embarrassing, but relieving. I started my college career at Stephen F. Austin University as a nursing major. I rushed into a sorority and made a cute little friend group. About halfway through the semester, I began having problems with my kidneys and my neck. I was overwhelmed, stressed, and lonely. I was drinking about 6 to 8 cups of coffee a day and very little water. I decided to go to Stephen F. Austin University to study Nursing. Although Stephen F. Austin University was far from home and far away from my pain specialist, I did not want to let this injury define me or affect my decision on where I attended college. I took the risk of stopping my medical treatment to move to Nacogdoches to attend Stephen F. Austin University. For the brief time, I have been a student at Stephen F. Austin University, I have had to take higher doses of pain medicine prescribed by my pain doctor because I would wake up every day with an excruciating headache to the point where I could not get out of bed. This injury is something I don’t want to live with the rest of my life and I do not want to continue to take the excessive amount of pain medicine anymore. Although I once stated that I didn’t want to let this injury define me and where I attend college, it has. After a visit with my pain management doctor over how my injuries were not improving, my mom and I decided for me to apply to Texas State University which is very close to my pain management doctor. On top of my neck injury, I was also diagnosed with kidneys stones in the Fall of 2017 when I got overly stressed about problems occurring in my life. Since my neck has not been improving and has been causing me countless amounts of stress, I have passed several kidneys stones this past semester. My decision to transfer to Texas State University will not only improve my neck injury but my overall health. I ended up changing my major which is very common for a freshman to do. I went to Texas State University in search of a fresh start and that was not the result. I changed my major once, maybe twice, okay three times! I did not know what I wanted, where I wanted to be, or who I wanted to be. I had the opportunity to speak with a woman who changed my look on life. The woman sat down with me and helped me lay out a plan. She helped me understand what I wanted and where I wanted to be and how I was going to get there. This woman is my mom. My mom is the greatest gift God has given me and I pray every day I can one day be just as amazing as her. After my treatment was over, I applied to the best University in the United States. Texas A&M University. After a long semester of anticipating my acceptance, I was accepted into Texas A&M University. I will be studying communication and minoring in marketing. A year ago today, I was getting ready to start my freshman year at SFA and now I'm packing up my bags to move to College Station to live with four of my best friends and attend the best University in the country. I am so excited to see what God has in store for me and I can't wait to see what the future holds. For an upcoming freshman, the best advice I can give you is that change is not a bad thing, but a blessing. Listen to your heart and always find joy in the midst of change.
Love, Kaitlin
Comments